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Disclaimer:
You should not rely on the veterinary advice or information provided on
this site for diagnosis or treatment of any specific situation. Always
consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical
condition or treatment of your own pet or animal.

What? You have to brush your ferret’s
teeth? You bet! A twice-monthly regimen can save on costly vet trips
later and result in a longer and healthier life for your ferret.

Ferret Teeth

Ferrets have 40 adult teeth on which
plaque can collect and calcify to form tartar if it’s not removed.
Like other pets, ferrets should have their teeth brushed regularly
– veterinarians recommend every other week. Although a diet of dry
kibbled food can help clean teeth, softer food, treats, and sugary
snacks will build up plaque, just like on our own teeth. My own
ferrets enjoy "healthy" treats such as raisins, dates, and
grapes, but the natural fruit sugars also harm teeth. And when
Little Bear was recovering from surgery, she was put on a diet of
turkey baby food, which caused a quick buildup of gumline gunk! So
if your furry friends eat treats or softer foods, you may want to
increase your brushing regimen to once a week.

What if You Skip the
Brushing?

If plaque continues to build up on the
teeth, gums will become red and swollen (the same as human
periodontal disease). This allows bacteria to enter your ferret’s
system, and this bacteria can cause tooth root abscesses,
susceptibility to infections, lethargy from low-grade infections,
kidney and liver problems, and even heart disease! The plaque will
eventually harden into tartar and continue to build layers, making
gums very painful, and teeth less able to chew. At the point where
tartar builds up (usually on the side molars), it’s time to see
the vet! A veterinarian can anesthestize the ferret (trust me, they
are too squirmy to do without) and perform a professional dental
scaling. If you don’t regularly brush your ferret’s teeth, you
may need to visit the vet yearly for this pricey procedure. As your
ferret gets older, the risk of anesthesia increases, and dental
scalings may not be an option. Avoid the need for this procedure
with a ferret toothbrush!

Ferret Toothbrushes

Never use a human toothbrush! Even the
softest baby toothbrush is too hard for ferret teeth and gums. There
are several cat toothbrushes on the market that work quite well. I
use a kitten toothbrush that looks like a tiny standard bristle
brush with an angled head. Another popular style is a finger
toothbrush, which is a soft latex-type material which fits over your
index finger thimble style. The bristles are of the same soft
material. I think the finger toothbrush is gentler and gives you
more control, but I had to quit using mine because Slinky likes to
chew rubbery things and kept biting the brush! I was afraid he would
get a blockage if he swallowed some brush by mistake!

Ferret Toothpastes

Never use a human toothpaste! Human
toothpastes are too abrasive for ferrets and can actually cause
tooth damage. Additionally, if your ferret swallows any toothpaste,
he can get very sick! Use a special pet toothpaste (sometimes called
an "animal dentifrice"). Pastes for cats work well, and my
ferrets prefer the malt flavoring. These toothpastes are edible, so
there is no need for rinsing and no fear of your ferret swallowing
any!

How Do You Brush a
Ferret’s Teeth?

Start by wetting the bristles of the
toothbrush and apply a tiny amount of paste (a blob about the size
of a drop of water). You may need to scruff your ferret or have an
assistant hold your ferret’s head. Then gently massage the gums
and the canines (the long front "fangs) and work back toward
the molars. You should notice the buildup of treats and soft food
items clean off easily. Especially work on the outside surfaces to
help reduce the tartar buildup in the area that the tongue does not
reach. Most of my ferrets don’t mind the procedure once they have
gotten used to it, which takes about six times. Misty, on the other
hand, continues to squirm and projectile spit every time – even
after 7 years! Because she is so hard to brush, I did not do a very
good job, and on her last checkup, Misty was given antibiotics to
take for 10 days because her gums were inflamed. I think the
antibiotics taste worse than the toothpaste, so maybe she’ll shape
up next time! Good Luck with your furry ferret friends, and keep
those chompers clean!